When I walked into the bathroom, I saw a bunch of empty deodorant bottles in the trash. Like most people, I’ve become concerned about the environmental impact of the things I use every day. Did you know that the personal care industry churns out billions of plastic containers every year, most of which end up in landfills and some end up in the ocean?
Let’s talk about a growing trend that’s changing the way we think about bathroom products. A person throws away 4-5 empty deodorant containers wholesale a year, and the United States throws away about 1.5 billion a year! The good news is that companies like Native and By Humankind offer refillable deodorant systems that allow you to keep a sturdy container and then go with a new one.
It’s not just deodorant that’s revolutionizing the way we shower. Eco friendly shampoo packaging is also becoming popular. Do you remember when shampoo sticks used to be a niche thing? There are a lot of big brands coming in now. These solid bars typically come in moulded pulp packaging that can hold up to three bottles of liquid shampoo. Companies like Lush are leading the way, showing that luxury and sustainability can go hand in hand.
I also recently tried a shampoo stick and it’s really durable. I used it every day for four months! This not only reduces plastic waste, but also makes room for my shower rack, which is convenient to take with me on business trips. Many brands now have more eco-friendly options, such as Plaine Products’ aluminum bottle shampoo, which you can refill when you run out, creating a zero-waste cycle.
The benefits of these eco-friendly options don’t end in the bathroom. A friend of mine calculated that since the use of plastic-free bathroom products, 24 plastic containers have been stopped in landfills in one year. If we could all do that, it would have a huge impact!
Best of all, these eco-friendly alternatives are often better to use. Many eco-friendly brands focus more on natural ingredients and concentrated formulations that give us our money’s worth and are more friendly to the planet. Using containers that look good and can be reused really makes life feel better.
So the next time you’re about to throw away an empty plastic container, think about an environmentally friendly alternative. In this way, your bathroom habits can become more economical and eco-friendly.